crimes committed in the name of so-called honour

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Acts of violence that are disproportionately, though not exclusively, committed against girls and women, because family members consider that certain suspected, perceived or actual behaviour will bring dishonour to the family or community.

Additional notes and information

General

Such behaviours include entering into sexual relations before marriage, refusing to agree to an arranged marriage, entering into a marriage without parental consent, committing adultery, seeking divorce, dressing in a way that is viewed as unacceptable to the community, working outside the home or generally failing to conform to stereotyped gender roles. Crimes in the name of so-called honour may also be committed against girls and women because they have been victims of sexual violence, such as rape.

These crimes include murder (killing in the name of so-called honour) and are frequently committed by a spouse, a female or male relative or a member of the victim’s community. Rather than being viewed as criminal acts against women, crimes committed in the name of so-called honour are often sanctioned by the community as a means to preserve and/or restore the integrity of its cultural, traditional, customary or religious norms following alleged transgressions.